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Retail plans prompt suit in Menifee
By: CHRIS BAGLEY - Staff Writer | ∞
MENIFEE ---- A large shopping center planned in the heart of Menifee has become the latest target in a mysterious string of lawsuits involving Target and Wal-Mart stores with large grocery sections.
The three suits allege violations of the California Environmental Quality Act. In the latest, an entity called Menifee Citizens for Smart Growth alleges that county officials failed to give adequate notice of public hearings Dec. 19 and Jan. 23. The suit, filed Feb. 26, also alleges unspecified "findings not supported by substantial evidence."
The Riverside County government gave developers the final go-ahead in early February to build on 70 acres at the southwest corner of the Newport Road freeway interchange. At 735,000 square feet, Countryside Marketplace Shopping Center would become the largest retail center in Menifee.
It would include a "SuperTarget" store. The current Target discount department store across Interstate 215 would relocate there and add a large grocery section. It would include one other large department store and five restaurants, according to the developer.
Cory Briggs, the Upland attorney who filed the suit, didn't respond to an e-mail and phone message seeking comment this week.
It isn't clear exactly what the organization is or whether it has members who live in Menifee.
"Petitioner's members reside in or near the County of Riverside, California, and have an interest in protecting the region's air quality, minimizing and ameliorating traffic, ensuring informed and responsible growth, and promoting other environment-related quality-of-life issues," Briggs wrote in the suit.
Supervisor Jeff Stone, whose district includes Menifee, said residents have been vocal in demanding shopping centers closer to home; local shoppers now must drive as far as Temecula, he said. Stone said he wasn't aware of any Menifee residents behind the suit.
"It's certainly not for the benefit of Menifee," Stone said.
Briggs has also filed a lawsuit on behalf of a corporation called Murrietans for Smart Growth over a planned shopping center in the northeastern corner of that city, which would also include a SuperTarget. Another suit filed by Briggs this year, Blythe Citizens for Smart Growth v. City of Blythe, involves a Wal-Mart SuperCenter that the city approved. City officials in Murrieta and Blythe said they hadn't had any contact with the "Murrietans" or "Blythe Citizens" who were suing the cities. Briggs registered both as California nonprofit corporations Jan. 2, a day before suing the city of Murrieta and two weeks before suing Blythe.
Briggs didn't respond to several calls The Californian placed after the Murrieta suit was filed.
Menifee Citizens for Smart Growth doesn't appear to be registered as a legal entity in the state, according to the California secretary of state's office. It would have to be registered in another state in order to file the suit, USC law professor Noel Ragsdale said.
The county's attorneys briefed the Board of Supervisors on the suit during a closed-door meeting Tuesday. Supervisor Bob Buster couldn't be reached for comment this week. Stone was out of town on county business.
An attorney for the county declined to comment.
The shopping center is scheduled to be completed some time next year. A representative of the developer, Donahue Schriber Realty Group LP of Costa Mesa, said he expected the lawsuit to impede construction of the shopping center, planned for a tract along Haun Road and north of Holland Road.
"At this time, I don't know exactly what that impact will be," the representative, Jeff Chambers, added.
Chambers said current plans call for the SuperTarget, a second department store and two fast-food restaurants. Donahue Schriber is in negotiations with BJ's Restaurant & Brew House ---- a trendy, slightly upscale eatery ---- and Red Robin and TGI Friday's, both casual-dining restaurants, Chambers said.
The shopping center would become the largest within the boundaries of Menifee Valley, a proposed city that would include Menifee, Sun City and Quail Valley. Sales taxes typically account for 30 percent to 50 percent of a mature city's revenue. Cityhood proponents are counting heavily on local shopping centers to help fund a city government.
A consultant hired by the proponents is now analyzing the would-be city's revenue sources to determine whether they would be sufficient to fund municipal services in that area.
Blythe City Manager Les Nelson said a Wal-Mart SuperCenter and surrounding retail complex proposed in his city had generally been well-received. Several residents had also spoken out against it, but had come to city officials with a relative handful of specific concerns. Briggs submitted a large packet detailing his objections just a few hours before the comment period ended, Nelson said. It wasn't clear how many Blythe residents Briggs represented, he added.
"We haven't seen one," Nelson said. "We're not sure there is anybody, quite frankly. We've had a slew of public hearings and committee workshops. The legitimate people come in and they write and we work with them."
-- Staff writer Brian Eckhouse contributed to this report. Contact staff writer Chris Bagley at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2615, or cbagley@californian.com. Comment at www.californian.com.
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Rich Johnston wrote on Mar 30, 2007 6:19 AM:Menifee is growing like all cities in southern Calif. Please Riverside County do not give way to a mixed bowl of garabge...... Menifee has a country setting and as a resident and as many other residents we want to keep this flavor and have a say. The county really never has planned any of the growth around any of the areas cities. It seems it has been based all on the dollar. Never the residents.
dont be a dope wrote on Mar 30, 2007 10:27 AM:This is the best news for the menifee valley in years, we need more commercial businesses for the revenue so as to be able to have cityhood, that way we as menifee residents have a say on what and where new homes and businesses can be built, we can have our own police, and fire departments, and not be over run with homes and appartments that have the potential to bring down property values. I say this is good news for all of us.
Excited wrote on Mar 30, 2007 11:17 AM:I am excited to see that there is more commercial business coming to town. What would be even better is if we had some recreation centers for our kids. Our kids that are on year round schooling have very little to do during their time off... Let's get some more activities for the kids in Menifee. I am sure this would make many parent happy as well as the kids.
Grow smart wrote on Mar 30, 2007 11:34 AM:This area definitely needs some infrastructure, specifically retail and more established businesses/companies where people don't have to commute to SD or OC. I'm sure incorporation of the area would help with "smart growth" of the area.
eric wrote on Mar 30, 2007 3:44 PM:the sooner they can start the better. i am tired of having to go to temecula or hemet to buy anything. plus the food choices are not that great. they should try to get a Dave and Busters out in menifee.
Skip wrote on Mar 31, 2007 3:08 PM:After I read the words Super-Target and Super-WalMart, I cannot help but wonder if the Grocery Unions are behind these lawsuits. See ya Albertsons!
Gary in Murrieta wrote on Mar 31, 2007 6:46 PM:Don't let yourself be fooled. There is much more to these lawsuits then the California Environmental Quality Act. When did anyone ever plan the commercialiam of North County. No my friends I think someone has a grudge against SUPER WalMart and SUPER Target. Now I wonder who that could be? Did I remember to say the word "SUPER" enough?
Me wrote on Apr 2, 2007 10:47 PM:There is a definate need for large commercial businesses here in Menifee, I as like the rest of Menifee's citizen's am tired of wasting $3.30 gas on driving to Temecula for minor stuff that should be available locally.Who ever is blocking this project needs to be told to shut it.
Gayle R., Menifee wrote on Apr 2, 2007 11:08 PM:I say let Super Target et al come in to Menifee and keep our tax dollars at home instead of in the coffers of the cities of Temecula, Hemet and the rest. Having to drive 15-20 miles to go shopping or have a nice meal is getting O L D. I'd like to see more upscale commercial/retail development, something on the scale of recently-opened Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga--developers, are you listening?
P.O.'ed Meniffe resident wrote on Apr 7, 2007 9:31 PM:I hope the lawsuits don't delay development for too long. I'm tired of driving to other areas for shopping too. Who the heck is this Briggs guy anyway? There should be a way to find out who's behind all these lawsuits.
mama-san wrote on Apr 19, 2007 8:32 PM:I can't believe someone is trying to stop the shopping center. Everyone is waiting anxiously for the center. We are all tired of driving into Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet or Elsinore to shop and go to a nice restaurant. We need to keep our money in our community. Along with growth comes needed retail and other commercial outlets.
D.J. wrote on Apr 21, 2007 4:56 PM:It's about time. I have lived here 20 years and have been waiting for at least a nice restaurant. B.J's in Mo Valley and Temecula are outstanding ... I dont know about all the other residents but I am sick of seeing Jack In the Box on every corner. I am sick of going into FILTHY Stater Bros. in Sun City (ever have to use thier restroom?...if so, I am sure you would not go back) Lets move on it I SAY MORE STORES, MORE RESTAURANTS
B.S.? wrote on Apr 27, 2007 11:24 PM:ok... I agree! We need more shopping around town. Whoever is stopping this is rediculous! about 60% of Menifee Residents commute to work EVERYDAY!!! Who the heak wants to commute to have a nice dinner too? isn't there a list we can make and have a ton of residents sign that can get all this stuff approved?
Frustrated wrote on May 1, 2007 6:17 AM:I find it difficult to believe this group did not have adequate notice. I've live here for the past 2 and 1/2 years and knew this center was coming before I moved here. I have recieved notices of public hearings more than once. Whoever this group is has a different agenda. Who is this group? And how come I can't seem to find a number for them. I believe the residents of menifee who are for this center need to speak out. Attend any hearing's and let them know that they are responsible for holding up what the people want. Maybe they should pay our gas whenever we go to Temecula. I been waiting a long time for this center to go up and I can't believe this group didn't speak out 1 year ago, before everything was approved.
Valerie T. wrote on May 1, 2007 10:36 AM:To the best of my knowledge, this is absolutely not the true feelings of the local menifee residents. We have been fighting for citihood and without retail, tax dollars for this area, we will never acheive this goal. I don't know of anyone living in Menifee that likes to commute for shopping, entertainment or necessities, after they have commuted all week long for work. Menifee may lose out on this great opportunity to attrack business if this group doesn't wake up and smell the coffee.
Claudia , Lake Elsinore wrote on May 29, 2007 2:55 PM:I will be moving to Quil Valley soon and I for shore would like to see nice restaurants & shopping centers I am planning in opening a business in quail valley or menifee. A shopping center or retail strip mall would be great.I would hate to live in Quail valley and have a business in Elsinore or Murrieta
Judy wrote on Jun 16, 2007 4:06 PM:Finally we can save gas when we want to go out for a nicer dinner than IHOP. I have been in Target Super Stores and they are great! More restaurants and more shopping thank you!
Carol wrote on Jul 1, 2007 3:12 PM:I've lived here since 1989 and I am so glad to see commerical building starting. I to am tired of driving far for a good meal,personal items and entertainment. Please bring in some up scale restaurants and shopping and a strip mall would be great. And, don't forget activity and entertainment centers for kids of all ages! In addition, I hope some day we'll even get a Trauma Center. We need more than the basic medical care we get from Menifee Valley Medical Center! I can to my doctor for that.
Resident wrote on Jul 21, 2007 7:28 AM:Californian staff...do your homework! There is no mystery to this Lawsuit. The grocery unions are behind it. Check out the suits that were filed in Bakersfield after 2 'Super Wal-Marts' were approved there. The suits halted construction for months. The county and builders should already be wise to this tactic and be prepared for it. I have seen Menifee change dramatically since I moved here in 1994. While I am not a fan of all the growth, I am very tired of driving to Temecula to take my wife to a movie or dinner.
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